(From Reuters)
One of two ethnic Uyghur Muslims from China accused of involvement in a deadly bombing at a Bangkok shrine last year broke down in front of cameras on Tuesday as he made his way into court.
Twenty people were killed and more than 120 injured in the bombing on Aug. 17 at the Erawan Shrine, thronged by visitors to the Thai capital. Five of those who died were from China and two from Hong Kong.
Analysts, diplomats and even some officials suspected the attack was linked to sympathizers of the Uyghur minority in western China angered by the Thai junta’s deportation of more than 100 Uyghurs to China in July.
But Thai police said the perpetrators were members of a network that trafficked Uyghur Muslims and they launched the attack in anger at Thailand’s crackdown on the trade.
“I’m not an animal,” the shaven, shackled and barefoot Adem Karadag told a crowd of waiting reporters on Tuesday, as two guards led him into a military court in Bangkok’s old town. “I’m human, I’m human.” Read More